[Art_beyond_sight_learning_tools] Knitting Circle Promotes Creativity And Comaraderie for Blind AndVisually Impaired

[Shelley L. Rhodes]

Evening Bulletin, PA, USA
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Knitting Circle Promotes Creativity And Comaraderie for Blind And Visually 
Impaired

By Andrea K. Hammer

Philadelphia - Imagine waking up without seeing the breaking-day colors 
spread across the sky. Think about moving through another hour without ever 
looking at your loved ones' faces. Consider how you would navigate the 
morning rush without sight - from getting dressed to crossing the street 
safely.
According to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), "Every seven 
minutes, someone in America will become blind or visually impaired." The AFB 
estimates that 10 million are blind or visually impaired in the United 
States.
"Approximately one million legally-blind adults live in the United States. 
We know that many are older and increasing numbers live alone," a National 
Center for Policy Research (NCPR) report notes. "Even the earliest 
civilizations recognized the unique needs of people who are blind. Blind men 
and women have made important contributions to society - as teachers, 
philosophers and artists."
To support these creative endeavors and provide assistance here in 
Philadelphia, the Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired 
(ASB) offers education, training and other resources.
"It is our goal at ASB to help the blind and visually impaired regain their 
independence, self-esteem, and confidence so that they may lead active, 
productive, and healthy lives," says Pat Johnson, president of ASB.
To support creative expression, Donna Cooper - who lived in Queen Village 
before moving to Italy last June - proposed organizing a knitting class for 
ASB, which was launched in November 2005. A lifelong knitter and the group's 
first coordinator, she has donated large quantities of wool for many 
projects and maintains ongoing contact.
The other dedicated volunteers continue to gather at the ASB for five hours 
each Tuesday, teaching the blind and visually impaired how to knit. The 
"teachers" imagine not seeing their needles or yarn - and translate 
instructions, now automatic for them, into do-able steps for those with 
limited or no vision. A translator also attends sessions and records 
instructions for those speaking Spanish, so they can continue working on 
projects at home.
"The most challenging is translating what is visual to me into clear verbal 
and tactile instructions that the 'client' can understand," says Erika 
Flory, the group's current coordinator during the last year. "Often, I'll 
watch as a new student struggles and realize that I need to change just a 
word or two to have her understand the motions that she needs to learn."
Flory, who lives in Queen Village, is thrilled when a student finishes a 
first item. She says that the look of pride and accomplishment on the 
student's face is priceless.
"I've learned how much I don't know. I'm a lifelong knitter, and I'm still 
always learning from the other volunteer teachers and the students," adds 
Flory, who also values the group's sense of community.
"Regardless of our ages, backgrounds, and physical abilities, all the 
volunteers and students come together with the common interest in making 
something in the company of others. So many of the clients have said how 
much their lives have changed since they learned to knit: They're not as 
depressed, they have a sense of achievement and they enjoy sitting with 
others while they knit," says Flory, whose knitting designs are displayed at 
www.kidknits.biz.
"When the knitting class started, the volunteers really were a group of 
strangers; over the past year and a half, we've become friends: We've been 
through illnesses, deaths and births together; we have lunch together every 
week and try to solve society's ills over our sandwiches; we laugh together; 
we knit together," she says.
Both the volunteer "teachers" and ASB "students" chat animatedly together.
"Everyone is lucky to know and enjoy each other - and consider each other 
friends," says volunteer Marcy Berkowitz, of Havertown. She is delighted to 
see everyone's happiness as a result of the class.
Considering crochet her strength, Berkowitz finds instructions for one 
needle easier to teach versus the more complex two-needle technique involved 
in knitting. But, together, the volunteers have developed a basic four-step 
method to simplify this process.
"It is especially challenging for new students who have had no previous 
experience. Initially, they can become frustrated to the point where they 
feel that they will never be able to achieve their goal. As a teacher, one 
has to keep telling them to persevere, that it's okay. It will come in 
time - and, low and behold, it does! That is the most gratifying moment for 
me," says Judy Wolk, another volunteer from Queen Village, who has learned 
to be patient and have a sense of humor. "Every week we come together, it 
becomes more than a class of students and teachers. It's a jovial event for 
everyone."
Recently featured on CN8 and Fox News, the group completed 50 chemotherapy 
caps, which were donated to patients at Thomas Jefferson University 
Hospital. Comcast also aired the story nationally, and an Illinois woman was 
so moved by the group's efforts that she donated a crate full of 
high-quality wool for projects.
The knitters also have finished 30 lap-size blankets - sewing together each 
member's colorful strips, which were knitted or crocheted. While the group 
takes a break during the summer, individual work will continue at home. In 
September, they plan to donate all of the blankets to additional patients, 
who are often cold after chemotherapy treatments.
During knitting sessions, the teachers often learn from students about the 
challenges of another life as guide dogs - "working" animals that should not 
be petted or distracted - sit quietly by their feet. After months of 
instruction, many have achieved mastery of their work and continue to draw 
strength from the knitting-circle camaraderie.
Many of the volunteers donate wool, which is always needed. Others show up 
with food treats to share with the entire group. The volunteers also 
purchased knitting bags for the students.
These extraordinary women, who dismiss any out-of-the ordinary action on 
their part, quietly show up every week and set aside their own personal 
concerns or health challenges to help someone else. Each week, creating 
handmade items to comfort others invigorates the entire knitting circle.
To learn more about the ASB, where wool donations are always welcome, visit 
www.asb.org.
Andrea K. Hammer is the founder and director of Artsphoria: Celebrating Arts 
Euphoria.

http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=18468704&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=6

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